12 Reviews of Christmas - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)

         Hey guys, Chuck here. Every year at Christmastime, a series of stop motion Christmas specials will air on television. These specials, which were produced by Rankin/Bass, have essentially become staples of the holiday season. And today, for 12 Reviews of Christmas, I will be looking at the most beloved of the bunch: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. 

         Narrated by Sam the Snowman, played by Burl Ives, the story focuses on Rudolph, a young reindeer with a glowing red nose, whose father is Donner, who is one of Santa's main reindeer. Unfortunately, both of Rudolph's parents see his nose as something they need to hide, and do there best to cover it up. Meanwhile, we meet an elf named Hermie, who is more interested in the art of dentistry than in toy making. After one final straw dealing with the elf foreman, Hermie decides to leave Santa's village. Rudolph, meanwhile, befriends another young reindeer, Fireball, and draws the eye of a young doe named Clarice. Unfortunately, Rudolph's red nose is exposed, and the other reindeer, including Fireball and Coach Comet, ostracize him and essentially cast him out. Clarice is the only one to be understanding, but her father ushers her away. 

        It's here where Rudolph and Hermie meet, and realizing that they're both misfits, they strike up a friendship, and decide to leave together. Unfortunately, the North Pole has a dangerous monster lurking around that hates Christmas: the Abominable Snow Monster of the North. After hiding from the Abominable, who was drawn by Rudolph's nose, the two misfits meet a prospector named Yukon Cornelius, who is seeking a fortune in the North Pole. Yukon refers to the Abominable as the "Bumble Snow Monster of the North," and it's really funny. Anyway, Yukon, Rudolph, and Hermie escape from the Abominable, and eventually float on an ice raft to the Island of Misfit Toys. 

        On the island, which is home to toys that were unwanted by previous owners, Rudolph, Hermie, and Yukon meet with King Moonracer, who allows them to stay the night, and asks them to tell Santa about the island, and perhaps find new homes for the misfit toys. Not wanting to further endanger his friends because of the Abominable, Rudolph leaves ahead of them. As Rudolph grows, he soon realizes it's time to go home, but upon arrival, learns from Santa that his parents, along with Clarice, left looking for Rudolph, so he goes to find them. 

          Rudolph finds his parents and Clarice in a cave, cornered by the Abominable, who is about to eat Clarice. However, Yukon and Hermie arrive, and they use pig noises to lure the Abominable into a trap. Knocking the beast out cold, no pun intended, Hermie uses his dentistry skills to take out all of the Abominable's teeth. Yukon goes after the now toothless Abominable, and the two fall over a cliff. Saddened, Hermie, Rudolph, and the other three reindeer return to Santa's village, where Santa agrees to find new homes for the misfit toys. Yukon arrives, having reformed the Abominable, who is given a job putting the star atop the Christmas tree. 

         Unfortunately, the winter storm is too great to travel through. However, Rudolph's red nose is just the thing that can cut through the storm and help Santa deliver the presents. Santa asks him to guide the sleigh, and Rudolph happily agrees. Rudolph guides the sleigh to the Island of Misfit Toys, and the toys are picked up to be given to children around the world. Meanwhile, Yukon finds a peppermint mine under the snow in Santa's village, and reveals that it was he was most looking for. The special ends with Santa delivering the presents. 

             I first watched the special as a kid, and it's still a staple of the Christmas holiday for me. The story is a fun one with an important message about acceptance of people who are different. The songs in the special, which are mainly sung by Burl Ives, are really good. The animation still holds up even by today's standards. All in all, everyone has watched this special,.and it's definitely worth it. I'm giving Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer a rating of 5/5. It's a true blue holiday classic that's worth the watch every year. 

       This is Chuck signing off, and 12 Reviews of Christmas continues tomorrow with my review of Doctor Who: The Runaway Bride.

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